To the Editor: The rules of the fine print

To the Editor:

Re: “When Was the Last Time YOU Cheated?,” Red Letter Daze, Nov. 19

This article overlooked some important aspects of Academic Integrity at Cornell. As a Judicial Codes Counselor, my job is to advise students accused of violating the Academic Integrity Code; I have seen first-hand that cheating at Cornell carries serious consequences.

In the first stages of the Academic Integrity process the accusing professor is judge, jury and executioner. Although accused students may have an adviser throughout the process, students are expected to speak for themselves. Students are innocent until proven guilty and have the opportunity to refute evidence brought against them; however, if a professor thinks a student has cheated the student will probably be found guilty. Though a student may appeal a professor’s finding to a Hearing Board, Boards typically defer to the accusing professor’s interpretation and application of the Code in his or her classroom. This means that the Board will agree with a professor’s finding in most cases.

Violations of the Code carry serious repercussions. I have seen students expelled (even from Ph.D. programs!) because of serious Code infractions, but any Code violation becomes part of your permanent educational record and serious violations will appear on your transcripts.

Students should also be aware that standards for Academic Integrity vary from classroom to classroom. Professors are expected to tailor classroom Academic Integrity standards to suit their particular teaching needs, so what was OK in one class may constitute a violation in another class.

If something you want to do might be an Academic Integrity violation, ask your professor before you do it. Send an e-mail, get an explicit answer. The best way to get out of trouble is to stay out of trouble.

James L. Saeli law ’10

Cornell Judicial Codes Counselor